A lock of tremendous versatility, Mike McCarthy has been one of Connacht's most consistent and reliable performers of the past decade.

He was born in London and learned his trade at Sodbergh School before joining London Wasps at the turn of the millennium. He was part of the club's European Challenge Cup and Premiership successes during his time at Adams Park but left for Connacht - and the promise of regular first-team rugby - in the summer of 2003.

However, he was back in England within 12 months, making the move to Newcastle, where he became a real crowd favourite during a three-year stint with the Falcons.

Connacht came calling again, though, in 2007 and he decided to return the west of Ireland.
McCarthy went from strength to strength during his second stint with the province, proving himself a forward of immense talent by performing to a consistently high level - despite regularly being moved across every position in the back five.

He made his 100th appearance for the Westerners in an Amlin Challenge Cup clash with Bayonne in December 2010 before being called into the Ireland squad for the 2011 Six Nations the following month.

McCarthy did not feature in the Championship but his big opportunity finally arrived when he was named in the starting line-up for the World Cup warm-up clash with Scotland at Murrayfield in August.